~ by Brad Efford, Yearbook Print Sales Consultant, Southern Ontario Region
Summer is here, and with it comes road trips, outdoor adventures, and lazy days by the pool. These activities create memorable experiences that you won’t want to forget! That’s why you should consider incorporating them into your school yearbook. After all, growth and learning happen year-round, not just during the academic months!
So how do you do it (and do it well)? Read on!
ADD A SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS SECTION
This can be a collage of photos showcasing student adventures. Encourage students (and faculty) to submit their favourite summer activity photos and a short description of their experiences.
FEATURE STUDENT STORIES
Nothing makes a yearbook come to life more than personal stories. Ask students to share their most memorable summer moments…whether is conquering a fear, learning a new skill, or simply having fun with friends, these stories add a human touch.
CREATE A SUMMER BUCKET LIST
Include fun activities that students enjoyed (or wish they had done). This can inspire others and serve as a great conversation starter. Plus, it’s a great way to get everyone excited about the NEXT summer!
HIGHLIGHT SUMMER ACHIEVEMENTS
Did someone win a summer sports tournament or complete a significant project? Celebrate them in your yearbook!
INCLUDE A SUMMER PLAYLIST
Music is a BIG part of summer vibes. Ask students to submit their favourite summer tunes or create a playlist with songs that were popular during the break. You can even consider including their Spotify code to make it interactive.
ADD QR CODES
And speaking of interactive content, add QR codes that link to videos or photo galleries of summer activities. This way, students can relive their summer adventures through multimedia content!
HOST A SUMMER PHOTO CONTEST
Organize a summer photo contest and feature the winning entries in the yearbook. This not only encourages participation but also ensures you have a variety of photos to choose from.
INCORPORATE SUMMER-THEMED GRAPHICS AND LAYOUTS
Use bright, summery colours and fun graphics to these pages. Think beach balls, ice cream cones, and sunglasses. The visual appeal will draw readers in and make the summer section stand out.
ADD SUMMER REFLECTIONS
Ask students to share their reflections on what their summer was like, or what it means to them. They can also share their favourite quotes about summer (“Summer means happy times and good sunshine.” – Brian Wilson).
PLAN AHEAD
Start your planning early. Collect your photos and stories as soon as school starts. This ensures you’ve got ample time to create a polished, cohesive summer section!
Brad Efford is Friesens’ Southern Ontario Yearbook Print Consultant. Working with today’s talented students (aka, tomorrow’s stars) has to be his favorite part of the yearbook world. As a pro photographer & “newsman” in his previous lives, he loves helping students with their photography, layout design and journalism. When he’s not helping schools create great yearbooks, he loves to spend time with family and friends, riding his motorcycle all over Ontario (and beyond), photography and playing with his incredible Rottweiler.
